Contents

Introduction

KOF XIV is the latest entry of the KOF series, moving away from the sprites from XII & XIII and using a new 3D (2.5D) graphical base. XIV seems to be a mix of elements from '98, '02, and XIII, while still using KOF-standard systems, and including systems new to KOF like Just Defend (from Garou), and new properties, such as CD wall-splat (different from counter-wire).

Movement

Running

Press Forward twice to dash. Hold forward on the control stick or pad in order to continue running forward.
The character will run towards the opponent. As long as the player keeps the directional button held down, they will run forward until the player puts the control stick or pad back in neutral. Warning: There is a slight delay upon stopping the run regularly. However, you can prevent the delay by pressing an attack button or by crouching under normal circumstances. Take advantage of the run in order to close the gap between yourself and the opponent or to implement an offensive approach. The run speed of each of the characters will vary.

Backdashing is done by pressing back on the control stick or twice. The character will move backward a certain distance to quickly move away from the opponent. The distance and the speed of the backdash will vary between the characters, along with their animations. In many cases, when you perform a backdash, you are in a midair state.

Jumps and Hops

In KOF XIV, there are 4 different types of jumps:

Normal Jump - Press up regularly. This is a traditional jump.

Hyperjump - Quickly press down and then up on the control pad or stick. This is essentially a super jump.

Hop - Lightly tap up. The character will hop upwards a very short distance.

Hyperhop - Quickly press down but then tap up lightly. The character quickly jumps slightly off of the ground an a higher speed.

Additional Notes: You can not block while you are in midair. Some moves may only be available while the character is in midair.

Character Wake Speeds

(WORK IN PROGRESS)

Tier A

(character/s here)

Tier B

(character/s here)

Tier C

(character/s here)

Tier D

(character/s here)

Defensive Systems

Rolling

Press A+B to perform an evasive movement..
Press Forward x2 A+B to roll at a further distance (this is also done while running forward).
Press Back+A+B to roll backwards.
Rolling is an evasive option that augments players defensive options.
Throughout the startup and active frames of the roll mechanic, the character is completely invincible to every move except for throws and command grabs. Rolling is not completely foolproof, however. Upon performing a roll, there are a few frames of delay on recovery that makes the user vulnerable to any attack. As stated before, throws and command grabs will also beat out the roll mechanic. Be sure to use the roll mechanic wisely so that you can get out of pressure carefully or find a method of implementing an offense. Discretion is heavily advised when fighting stronger players.

Just Defend/Instant Block

If you instantly block any move, your character will quickly flash white. You will build a small amount of super meter & while lowering a small amount of guard damage.

Guard Cancel Roll (GCAB)

While in block stun, the player can press A+B or Back+A+B to implement a Guard Cancel Roll. The character will roll out of their block stun animation at the cost of 1 bar of meter that they built during the match. What makes this useful is the fact that the user is completely invulnerable while performing the Guard Cancel Roll, even on its delay. However, it is still possible to fall into heavy disadvantage when it is mistimed. Use this to safely get out of pressure or out of the corner. This can also be used to catch the opponents whiffing and then punishing them accordingly after performing the Guard Cancel Roll.

Guard Cancel CD (GCCD)

While in blocking incoming moves, the player can press C+D to perform the characters blowback attack out of block stun.
What this does is allow the character to attack and send the opponent flying away to produce a neutral situation again. The use of the Guard Cancel CD will vary between the characters as many of them have different animations for CD attacks. These can also be baited out for a whiff punish, so use these wisely. When a Guard Cancel C+D attack lands, it normally does a very small amount of damage upon sending the opponent reeling backwards. Much like the Guard Cancel Roll, this costs 1 bar of meter.

Offensive Systems

Wall Splat Blowback Attack

New to King of Fighters XIV is the Wall Splat Blowback that knocks standing opponents hit by a standing blowback (CD) against the wall (or edge of the screen). The opponent is an a crumble state which can allow specific follow-up attack from the attacker. The Wall Splat Blowback only works against standing opponents.

Rush Auto Combo System

If you repeatedly press standing light punch when you're close to an opponent, the character will activate a combo that leads to a Special Move. If the power gauge has 1 or more bars, 1 bar will be used to change a Special Move into a Super Special Move.

If you are in Max mode, the character will perform a MAX Super Special Move instead of a Super Special Move.

Counter Hit

A counter hit will take place if you manage to hit the opponent at the startup of their own attack. Counter hits tend to do a little bit more damage while also adding extra properties to the said move that was used to counter hit the opponent. Some counter hits will cause a hit stun state to last a little longer. Others may be used as actual combo starters or launchers.

Counter Wire

Some moves on counter hit will cause the "counter wire" effect which basically consists of a move used on counter hit to cause a wall bouncing state, sending the opponent flying backwards and rebounding off of the corner stage to put into a juggle state for the player to conduct an elaborate combo. It is important to keep in mind that some moves may automatically cause the "counter wire" effect regardless (for example, some EX moves can do this).

On The Ground (OTG)

These are moves that can hit the opponent, even while they are on the ground in a floored position. Some OTG moves will function as striking moves while others will function as grappling moves. These are best used after scoring a hard knockdown against a player and the input the command for the said OTG move in order for character to get extra damage.

Recovery Roll (also known as Tech Roll)

By pressing light punch and light kick at the same time, at the right time after being knocked back by an attack, you can avoid falling to the ground to initiate a soft knockdown. Some combos can be used on fallen opponents, so try using Recovery roll to evade them. However, Recovery cannot be used against some attacks that have hard knockdown properties. In our guide, we will inform you of moves that are hard knockdowns!

Running Charge

While running forward, it will be possible to charge for special moves that require a charge input, even while you are running to some degree. The player can run forward normally but as they run forward, they can hold down+forward on the control stick and/or pad and then they can release notation by pressing up + and then the input the corresponding button. This works very well with charge moves that require a down~charge~up notational input.

Running Throw

Last but not the least, all characters are able to conduct a "running throw." What this implies is that the player can perform a regular throw while running forward. This requires the user to be very close in the opposing characters proximity to instigate the throw. After getting close to them during the run animation, the player can quickly press and hold back and then input either of the two heavy normals. However, the player's character must have already stopped running as the player was holding back while next to the opponent. The reason why this particular skill will be useful in some higher level match is to provide the player with another method of initiating a decent offensive maneuver against a defending player. This is also very useful because of the fact there is no crouch tech.

Throws

Normal Throw

Enter the command back or forward + heavy punch or heavy kick (b/f+C/D) when near an opponent to execute an unblockable normal throw. Some characters (like Mai for example) can perform mid-air throws.

If you and your opponent enter a throw command at the same time, you can execute a throw dodge or throw break.

Special Move throws cannot be dodged or broken. In our guide, we will inform you of what throws can be dodged or not.

Command Throw (also known as Command Grab or Special Move Throw)

All command throws have a motion sequence similar to other special moves (example, hcf+K). Some command throws must have your opponent close to them to connect, while some have running animations (example, Clark's Mount Tackle hcf+P). All command throws have whiff animations, and some may be blocked or easily evaded.

Instant throw - Usually has 1 frame of start-up, similar to a normal throw. Examples are Yuri's hcb+B, and Clark's hcf+D.

Delayed throw - These kinds of throws have long amounts of start-up frames with a running or grabbing animation. Some may have invincibility, or auto-guard frames during that start-up. Examples are Yuri's hcb+D, Robert's hcf+K, Clark's hcf+P, King of Dinosaurs' hcb+C, etc.

The Power Gauge

Bars gain and built in the super meter (power gauge) will give you access to Max Mode, Guard Cancels (AB/CD), Super Special Moves, Max Super Special Moves, & Climax Super Special Moves.

The maximum number of stocked super meters varies depending on the position of character in the order of the team as follows:

1st character - 3 Stocks

2nd character - 4 Stocks

3rd character - 5 Stocks

What is a Super Cancel (SC)?

A Super Cancel will cancel the attack of a Special Move into a Super Special Move or a CLIMAX Super Special Move.

What is an Advanced Cancel (AC)?

An Advanced Cancel will cancel the attack of a Super Special Moves into a MAX Super Special Move. The MAX version of the same Super Special Move cannot be canceled into.

What is a Climax Cancel (CC)?

A Climax Cancel will cancel the attack of a Super Special move or MAX Super Special Move Move into a CLIMAX Super Special Move.

Max Mode (BC)

By pressing light kick + heavy punch together, you will gain access to EX Special Moves, MAX Super Special Move and CLIMAX Super Special Moves. You will need 1 Bar of power gauge to activate it.

What happens during Max Mode?

The meter gradually decreases over time

Ex Special Moves uses 200 MAX Mode Gauge

Max Super Special Moves and Climax Super Special Moves uses all of MAX Mode Gauge

How much Max Mode meter amount during Team Battle?

1000 for the first character (point), 1250 for the second (battery), and 1500 for the third (anchor).

Health, Timer, Draws

The clock at default is set at 60 ticks which is 90 real time seconds. If a player wins a round, they will regain certain amounts of health depending on when they knock out the opponent.

42+ ticks = 30% health

41 to 30 ticks = 25% health

29 to 18 ticks = 15% health

17 to 0 or timeout = 10% health

Draws happen when both characters have the same amount of health during time out, or when a double KO happens during the last character of each players team but when another double KO happens during the EXTRA round.